Hoffmann published poems and a satirical comedy before, in 1845, a publisher
friend persuaded him to have a collection of illustrated children's verses
printed which Hoffmann had done as Christmas present for his son. The book,
later called Struwwelpeter after one of its anti-heroes, became popular with
the public and had to be reprinted regularly; many foreign translations followed. "Struwwelpeter" was not perceived as cruel or overly moral by Hoffmann's contemporaries. The original title, "Funny stories and droll pictures",
indicates that entertainment was at least partly the author's intention.
After the book's success, Hoffmann felt persuaded to write other children's
books, of which only the first, König Nussknacker oder der arme Reinhold, became
popular.
He also kept on writing satires and (often comic) poems for adults. His satires
show his strong skepticism towards all kinds of ideology and his distaste for
religious, philosophical or political bigotry. Even in Germany, he is today
largely remembered for his Struwwelpeter.